Business leaders raising funds for R.M. Palmer explosion victims

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance is working with other business and community leaders in the Berks County area to help raise funds for the victims of the March 24 explosion at R.M. Palmer Co. 

At the request of West Reading Borough Council, Berks County Community Foundation and the United Way of Berks County have partnered to create the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund to aid members of the community who were affected by the explosion that killed seven and injured several others. 

Depending on the amount of funds raised the organizations have a prioritized list of where the money will go. 

The first priority would be for grants to organizations providing support to the families of individuals killed in the explosion for immediate financial losses. 

Second would be grants to organizations providing support to individuals displaced from their homes as a result of the explosion. 

Third would be grants to organizations providing support to individuals displaced from employment as a result of the explosion. 

The fourth priority would be to support the Borough of West Reading towards an historical commemoration of the explosion including the creation of a memorial to those lost. 

The Berks County Community Foundation and the United Way of Berks County will help distribute the funds to organizations assisting families who lost loved ones in the explosion or those who lost work as a result of the blast.  

Any remaining funds will go to honoring those who died, said Tammy White with United Way of Berks County. 

The chamber noted that the candymaker has been a part of the Greater Reading business community for 75 years and spent more than 40 years as a chamber member.